Need help with Windows XP boot issue

[fatfingers]

I installed my Dell Dimension 4300 from scratch with Windows XP.  Not XP SP2 or even SP1, XP.  Yes, I did install updates after I got network connectivity.  Everything seems to run fine, but I have one issue at boot time.  Instead of just booting right into Windows XP, I am given a screen in which I have to select one of two OSes (both of which appear to be identical Windows XP choices) in 45 seconds or the first one will boot by default.  Needless to say, I don't want this boot screen to show up and I just want it to boot into the XP that I installed.


Is there any way to get rid of that prompt and if so, how would I fix it?

Thanks!

[vulcanfk]

is the windows xp that you boot into selected by default?

if so, load windows.  click start->run and type in 'msconfig' (without the quotes).  click on the 'BOOT.INI' tab. in the middle-right of that window, change the timeout to 0 or 1 second.  click ok (or apply, then ok).  reboot.

[youki]

Or, you can try that  , (almose the same thing that vulcanfk , but by hand)

Open your file : BOOT.INI   (on the root of c:\ usually , but maybe hidden)

You will see something like :

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professionnel" /fastdetect /noguiboot
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server" /fastdetect

Remove the unwanted row in the operating systems  section.
Set the timeout to 0  .

Check that the Default , point to the right config.

I strongly suggest you backup your file boot.ini before.

[fatfingers]

Thanks for the replies!  I think I will give youki's advice a shot.

[jcrouse]

Sounds like you did not reformat and start from scratch. It retained your old pointer in the boot.ini file and then added a new one for the new install.

John

[fatfingers]

Sounds like you did not reformat and start from scratch. It retained your old pointer in the boot.ini file and then added a new one for the new install.

John

Interesting.  Who knows what I did or did not do in my sleep deprived state that night.  :-(